innovations > in undergraduate education
Dedicated Education Unit > Nurse executives, clinical nurses and nurse faculty at MUSC partnered to initiate an innovative clinical education model called the Dedicated Education Unit (DEU). A commitment was forged to develop the pilot project focusing on the DEU as a model for providing quality clinical education, as well as promoting excellence and evidence-based nursing on the unit. So what is a DEU and how does it differ from what we already do in clinical education? A DEU can be described as a well-organized, stable unit, noted for exceptional patient care. Nurses on the DEU with excellent teaching skills, knowledge and expertise serve as clinical preceptors/instructors and expand the teaching capacity of the College of Nursing. The ancillary personnel are focused members of the team and actively involved in the learning experiences of the students. It is evident on this type of unit that everyone on the interprofessional health care team embraces the students as part of the team and culture of the unit. This innovative clinical education model facilitates our senior students’ transition into the roles and responsibilities of the professional nurse. The students in the DEU Model completed all clinical hours and assignments just like the students in the Traditional Model. Rather than working with a faculty member in a 1:7 ratio in the Traditional Model, each student in the DEU was assigned to a clinical preceptor with clinical and teaching expertise, who worked days, nights and/ or weekends. The student worked in a one to one relationship with their assigned clinical preceptor during the preceptor’s normal shifts, which included three 12-hour shifts per week for five weeks, for a total of 152 clinical hours. Three additional weeks were allocated for make-up hours (if needed), additional leadership/management activities, project presentations and case study seminars. Clinical preceptor training at MUSC was the primary way
of preparing the hospital nurses for their role as clinical preceptors. In addition to a detailed self-paced computerized clinical preceptor educational program and in-services, the clinical preceptors received a one to one orientation to the curriculum and teaching/learning strategies by the faculty. Frequent site visits to the students/clinical preceptors continued throughout the semesters to be sure that the DEU was functioning as developed by the partners and questions were answered as they arose. When asked if the capstone clinical experience was beneficial to the clinical preceptors in assisting with their own professional growth, all comments were extremely positive. “The consistency of one to one clinical preceptor to nursing student relationship gave me an opportunity to recognize my own strengths and weaknesses as a preceptor and provided me opportunities to improve and grow in that role,” wrote one preceptor. Another said the experience enhanced her teaching skills and led to more in-depth teaching with patients. When asked if the DEU clinical experience better prepared the seniors for a position as a new graduate, again all responses were positive. “Students gave very detailed reports, used evidence-based practice bundles, and delegated appropriate tasks to clinical associates,” read one response. Another preceptor noted the students collaborated with various professionals from the interprofessional team, and that there was integration of evidence-based nursing research in practice. The senior students were thrilled with the experience and have stated that experiencing the role of the professional nurse in “the real world” was the best way to see what they will be doing when they begin their careers after graduation. They all stated that it was wonderful to be working on a unit that was so welcoming and relished in helping the students learn to be a part of a health care team. One student noted, “I can say with confidence that I am excited to start my career. This experience has increased my
innovations > in graduate education
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Lifelines
Spring | Summer 2013